A section of Orange Democratic Movement leaders in Nairobi are now claiming that they are confident their party leader Raila Odinga will clinch the presidency in 2022.
The leaders who were being led by ODM Vice Chairperson Ochieng Jare dismissed calls by a section of Jubilee politicians who want the Opposition leader to retire from local politics following his recent appointment to the African Union Commission.
“We are perturbed by continued politicisation of this appointment; no one ushered Raila Odinga into politics, so you cannot force him to quit. Odinga will continue to discharge his new role both locally and internationally and we are confident that he will be the President in 2022,” he said.
But will he? Odinga now has five offices across Africa in which he has to operate as Highest representative for infrastructure and development in the continent, with his main office in Addis Ababa.
Over 18 legislators from Deputy President William Ruto’s camp want Odinga who is perceived to be the biggest threat to the DP’s presidency have been pushing the agenda for Odinga to leave active politics and concentrate on his new appointment.
However, their calls to have Raila quit local politics are just hitting deaf ears as Raila and Ruto rival intensifies.
The Canaan stories are now the ones dominating their public rallies where Odinga normally explains handshake deal as a bridge constructed to cross River Jordan to Canaan after meeting Crocodiles in the river where as Ruto will always mock the sayings.
The MPs include Kiharu MP Ndindi Nyoro, Kikuyu MP Kimani Ichung’wah, Kimilili MP Didmus Barasa and Oscar Sudi of Kapsaret among others.
Mathare North MP Anthony Oluoch said that Odinga’s appointment should not be politicised by leaders who want to fulfill their 2022 political ambitions adding that he will retire at his own will.
Oluoch also reiterated that ODM under the leadership of Odinga will continue to push for constitutional reforms which they believe are good for the country.
“Politics of 2022 and referendum should not be linked to his appointment. I want to assure our supporters across the country that Odinga will be around Kenya’s politics for as long as he wants,” said Oluoch.
This is however seen as a contradiction if the Memorandum of Understanding that was signed by the four NASA principals in 2017 is anything to go by.
The MoU was deposited at the Registrar of Political Parties in 2017 and indicated that ODM will not field a presidential candidate in 2022.